President Obama Publicly Supports Same-Sex Marriage

Barack Obama became the first president of the United States to support same-sex marriage today on an interview with ABC’s Robin Roberts. “Americans should be treated fairly and equally,” Obama said. “I think same-sex couples should be able to get married.”

“I have to tell you that over the course of several years as I have talked to friends and family and neighbors when I think about members of my own staff who are in incredibly committed monogamous relationships, same-sex relationships, who are raising kids together, when I think about those soldiers or airmen or Marines or sailors who are out there fighting on my behalf and yet feel constrained, even now that “don’t ask, don’t tell” is gone, because they are not able to commit themselves in a marriage, at a certain point I’ve just concluded that for me personally it is important for me to go ahead and affirm that I think same-sex couples should be able to get married.”

The president took steps to ensure “don’t ask, don’t tell” was repealed. This was the military policy that prohibited military personnel from discriminating against homosexuals that were “in the closet” and barred openly homosexual people from military service.